The Beaverton School District awarded the Beaverton High School Community Partners Team an award for outstanding partnership of faith and community groups with student and faculty at the school. Bethel's food outreach for spring and winter breaks is a big part of the team effort. Congratulations to the Community Partners Team and we are grateful for the work they do in our community. A huge thanks to Nancy Winston who is a member of the team. To learn more about the team's projects, visit this link.

People of faith agree that we are responsible for creating beloved community. As incidents of public hate skyrocket, come explore the theological and spiritual foundations of this call to fierce love. Join Lake Oswego UCC for a special workshop on Monday, May 20 from 4:30 to 9 PM that will focus on tools, skills, and methodologies for building a culture of peace and engaging in active nonviolence. Workshop participants will leave confident of their ability to support and empower targets by:

Identifying and tapping into the skills, experiences, and values they already have to support their neighbors more effectively.

Learning and practicing specific tactics to interrupt verbal hate in public, centering the experience of the target, and empowering the target to create safety for themselves.

Understanding the risks inherent in any hostile situation and discerning what not to do to escalate a situation.

And more.

Workshop presenters are Rabbi Debra Kolodny and Reverend Linda Jaramillo. Cost to attend is sliding scale $50-$75 with some scholarships available. Register at www.loucc.org or LakeOswegoUCC on Facebook.

As most of you are aware, our pastor and congregation received a clergy renewal Lilly grant. In a few weeks, David will be departing for his sabbatical and will be gone until September. Derived from the same Hebrew root word for Shabbat or Sabbath, a sabbatical is a time for renewal, as well as physical and spiritual delight. It allows a pastor the chance to reflect deeply on their faith, returning to the congregation renewed, refreshed, and ready for what God is calling them to do next in their ministry.

David will be not keeping in direct touch with us over the summer sabbatical term. He may choose to post on Facebook from time to time or send an email. This summer, rather than trying to contact David directly, we can pray for him, care for one another in his absence, and welcome our sabbatical pastor while she holds space and walks with us until his return. We will have a big welcome back party after worship on September 8. Please plan to join in the fun!

There are a LOT of activities planned during our Summer of Adventure! The bulletin board in the hallway is just starting to take shape and you'll be able to find information about upcoming activities, ways you can plug in, connect with others, or perhaps find new things to try.

We have Adventures in Personal Growth for the young with VBS-inspired Sunday Funday classroom activities. For adults, we're reading and reflecting on our book selection, "Renewal in the Wilderness" by John Lionberger, the same book David will be adventuring with. We'll have Adventures in Worship with the possibility of learning a danced benediction or worship while visiting Camp Adams. Our Adventures in Service will include the opportunity to restore the labyrinth at Camp Adams, helping with meals for Family Promise, and/or donating to Motorcycles for Pastors, a mission project of the Global Ministries. You are all invited to go on a guided hike or explore on your own with our Bethel Summer of Adventure passport. We'll be hosting a movie night featuring Wild (for adults), as well as a family-friendly film option and games, in the Fellowship Hall.

Look out for the article in next week's Highlights for more details and dates. We're so excited to spend this Summer of Adventure with you.

You are invited to attend an evening of learning about how to support youth and families in fostering resiliency in their home, school, and community. Dr. Amy Stoeber is a local psychologist whose passion is to provide the tools that families and systems need to optimize their resilience and overcome adversity through their life.

Each year Bethel grants scholarships to students of higher education. The purpose of this annual scholarship is to provide one-time financial assistance to people who are active in the life of the Church to use for post-secondary education, including but not limited to: College, Graduate School, and Seminary. There are no age limitations. To apply, fill out this form and email it to the Beth Astarte or drop it by the Bethel office. The due date is May 15, 2019.

Bethel’s long-standing dedication and support of Willamette West Habitat for Humanity continues in 2019. We hold up Habitat throughout April and celebrate our partnership at the annual Willamette West Habitat Fundraiser Breakfast and Lunch on May 10. This year’s theme is Build a Home, Frame a Future. Hear inspirational first-hand accounts from Habitat families, how gifts of time and treasure from the local community helps them achieve stability, self-reliance, and a future of hope.

Members of Bethel will host three breakfast tables and two lunch tables. Click on the link to the attached flyer for time and location details. Reach out to Paul Griffo with any questions.

It's almost that time again! Bethel's next opportunity to provide volunteers for Faith Cafe will be Sunday, April 21, which is Easter Sunday.

We naturally expect that there will be conflicts that day with family dinners and we could face a short-staffing situation. If you can let Susan or Peter Bauer know as soon as possible if you are or are not able to volunteer, it would be greatly appreciated because it will help us anticipate needs. As before, if you would like to help out with cooking (2 pm arrival) or set-up (3 pm arrival), please indicate that in your response.

After April 21st, our next Faith Cafe volunteer opportunity will be Sunday, June 9th.

Bethel was founded in 1880 as a Congregational Church. The first location was in a grange hall on 1st and Stotts Street in Beaverton. That location is now a parking lot for Beaverton High School. There are some huge trees on that lot that may or may not have been there in 1880. A picture of the old Stotts Street building is on the wall above the book cases by the Chapel.

In 1925, a new church building was built at the present location. To make room for the church, two plots of land were sold to Bethel by Dr C.E. Mason, a member, for $10 a plot. The building faced Watson Street, and thus our address remains a Watson address. After a few decades had passed, Bethel was booming and in 1952 plans were made to build a new sanctuary, fellowship hall, and education building. Work on the new sanctuary was started in 1961 and was dedicated in 1962. The dedication ceremony was delayed by about a week because of the Columbus Day storm. The lighted stained glass you see in the Narthex came from the 1925 building.

1961 was another big year for Bethel. That year, the congregation voted unanimously to become part of the United Church of Christ. The UCC was formed in 1957 from the former German Reformed, Evangelical Reform, and the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches. The Congregational arm had some influence from the Puritan movement. There is no record of when the Congregationalists stopped wearing those funny hats, but Hat Sunday continues today at Bethel and probably has nothing to do with Puritan attire.

On Good Friday, April 19, 10:00 AM to noon, Christians from all denominations are invited to join together for a short pilgrimage through downtown Beaverton, beginning at Bethel Congregational UCC and ending at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (5th and Franklin Ave). Carrying a large cross to remind us of the cross Christ carried 2000 years ago, participants stop at several "stations." At each station we reflect, pray, and share stories of injustice in our world and witness Christ's power for transformation and resurrection. Together we can better understand our role in carrying out Christ's mission of Peace and Justice in our day. All are welcome!

On March 31, 2019 at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall, we will be tackling our first environmental justice topic. The Justice and Peace Ministry Team of Medford UCC is asking for support to stop the building of a proposed fracked gas pipeline and liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal that would cross the length and breadth of Southern Oregon.

* Pembina Corporation, a Canadian company, proposes to build a 3” wide natural gas pipeline from Canada and the Rockies to Coos Bay. It would add a processing terminal and shipping facility at Jordan Cove to export the LNG to Asia.

* The terminal would become the largest source of climate pollution in the state. The pipeline and terminal affect 400 waterways (including the Rogue River and 12 public drinking water sources); disturb tribal territories and burial grounds; invoke eminent domain and affect land use and rights; threaten the fishing industry, including salmon runs; and affect jobs in tourism and other sectors.

* Kate Brown and the State of Oregon can deny the Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline and the Jordan Cove LGN export terminal

* Supporters claim creation of 6000 construction jobs and an estimated $10 billion in private capital. However, environmental damages could be incalculable and are fraught with job loss and loss of revenue as well.

Introducing Sabbatical Supply Minister Dianne Rodriguez

We are delighted to introduce our sabbatical supply minister, Dianne Rodriguez, who will be joining us starting June 1st!

After graduating from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in May of 2005, Pastor Dianne Rodriguez was called as minister to First Parish Church, U.C.C. in Jamesport, NY on Long Island. That same year she was ordained as a U.C.C. minister, of Word and Sacrament. Prior to this call she served at Bethany Congregational in East Rockaway for two years as a licensed minister and Spiritual Director. During these years she volunteered at Christa House, a resident home for those dying of AIDS. She also worked with a colleague to help facilitate spiritual gatherings for those with brain trauma. She completed a three year spiritual formation certification as a Spiritual Director from the Cenacle Retreat Center in Ronkonkoma, NY.

Spiritual direction brought a discerning depth into her ministry at First Parish Church, U.C.C. as she helped the congregation discern God's will and vision of what it meant to be a church in the 21st Century. In addition to working with her own parish Dianne collaborated with a lay leader from Bethany Congregational, U.C.C. to explore developing a Spiritual Lifelines ministry which would serve to help enrich the spiritual life of a congregation challenged by our ever changing world. Dianne was overjoyed having been given the opportunity to serve at Forest Grove UCC for 3 months as sabbatical supply pastor several years ago. Upon her return Dianne completed Intentional Ministry Training which is part of a transitional ministry training through the Interim Ministry Network.

In her last eight years at First Parish Church, U.C.C. she helped the congregation discern a Spiritual Renewal Ministry, that actively seeks to model and be a community in which spirit and service come together. Dianne was the settled part time pastor at Hubbard UCC in Hubbard Oregon, helping the worshiping congregation close on January 6, 2019; and birth The Heart2Soul Spiritual Project. She has had an ongoing spiritual direction ministry and is affiliated with The Interfaith Spiritual Center. After having moved to Oregon, Dianne has completed restorative justice training at Resolutions Northwest, facilitated women's retreats, leadership annual visioning retreats, and serves on the committee on ministry of the Central Pacific Conference.

Pastor Dianne is loved and supported by her husband of 39 years, Lazaro, her son David and daughter-in-law Katrina, and her two grandsons Xavier and Quintin. As a former dancer Dianne has a great appreciation and love for ballet and all the arts that can be used as instruments of God experience in body, soul, and mind. Her special interests in life are reading, bicycle riding on her yellow and hot pink Del Sol, beading, nature, the arts, theatre, music and dance, Feldenkrais body awareness movement classes, gardening, traveling and dining with friends. Her passion in ministry is rooted and founded in spiritual direction.

Staff Announcement - Courtney Czarnecki, Office Administrator

Hello to the congregation of Bethel UCC! I wanted to introduce myself to you in this week’s Highlights, and I look forward to meeting you in person as I settle into my role as your new Office Administrator! My name is Courtney Czarnecki, and I relocated from Seattle, WA, where I was born and raised, to Portland this past summer. While in Seattle, I worked as an office administrator and program coordinator in the nonprofit sector, mostly working in the arts and humanities. As I job hunted in Portland, my new home, I had my heart set right away on this position at Bethel and was very moved by the dedication to community support and direct outreach that Bethel provides to its community, along with the uplifting values of the congregation and the perspective Rev. David Randall-Bodman shares as Senior Pastor. I knew it would be a great fit, and it has been a wonderful first couple weeks of training and getting to know the community! When I’m not at work, I’m usually trying to cook a new recipe, reading a classic novel, taking a long walk, sewing, or exploring Portland. Being a lifelong learner and staying curious are so important to me, and I love to learn and talk about travel, culture, philosophy, literature, theology, history, science, you name it! Please stop by the office any time to say hi, and I am so grateful for the warm welcome I have received.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the BHS Homeless Teen food project. Donations of food, money and time are so appreciated.

We want to tell you about one family you are helping. Three siblings attending Beaverton High are living together with no adults. The oldest, a senior boy, is working 2 jobs and getting good grades. He supports his younger sisters. They are renting an uninsulated garage for $600 per month because they don’t want to be separated into different homes. These are just 3 of the 143 students you are supporting.

Principal Anne Erwin says students who receive support because they are food and housing insecure graduate at a higher percentage rate than their peers who do have secure food and housing. You all are part of the reason these students are graduating! Please join us Sunday evening after Faith Café (6:15-ish PM). We need movers and counters. On Monday morning please come a few minutes before 9 AM to help us get the spring break food to the school. We need packers and drivers. And sincere thanks to Sara Edmiston and Mac McPherson for getting us organized and food moved.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday or you will be late.

Come help us plan for a fabulous “Summer of Adventure.” Join the Lilly Grant sabbatical team to discuss and fine tune some ideas for adventures in worship, service & mission, fellowship and personal growth. We will gather this Sunday, March 10, from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

CAN YOU HELP? Jesuit has donated 124 Fred Meyer cards for the food drive, however, we still need 25 more. We can also use donations of cash. Checks can be made out to Bethel with BHS homeless in memo line. We will lay out food after Faith Cafe on Sunday, March 17 and assemble and deliver bags on Monday, March 18th starting at 9:00. There are already 143 students that qualify as homeless, so we are again collecting chunky/hearty soup. The donation site is the wooden box outside the chapel. Thanks for your help!!

Join us Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for a special Ash Wednesday service to mark the beginning of the season of Lent (See above "Special Lenten Opportunities - Love Wins.) A light soup supper will be provided followed by a time of worship and reflection and the traditional imposition of ashes. This is a family-friendly service so you are encouraged to attend with your entire family. The Diaconate needs 2-3 people to bring rolls. If you are willing to help in this way, please contact Monique Manley-Smith at memoney@comcast.net

Women's Retreat March 16, God's Extravagant Love! based on Ephesians 5:2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant.Join us from 9:00-1:00. RSVP to Paige. If you'd like to help plan, fix lunch, or need child care let us know.

On Sunday, March 17, the Faith Development Committee will host a Baked Potato and Salad Bar after church. This is our fundraiser for Camperships. A donation basket will be available. Each week at Camp Adams costs $420. This is a great bargain, and our Bethel kids LOVE camp. Camperships make sure all kids can attend. Each year we have more and more youth who would like to attend. Plan to join us after church and support the kids at camp.

This is also GRUBBY SUNDAY. What is Grubby Sunday? Every Spring and Fall we set aside a Sunday afternoon and come to church in our work/grubby clothes and stay after church and spruce things up. We will have a wall full of job cards for you to choose. There will be many inside and outside jobs; jobs that might take a partner, and many that you can do alone. Some jobs take a bit of thought, but most are fairly mindless and just require a little "elbow grease." Faith Development will provide the food to fortify you for this fun, community building activity. Come and help make Bethel sparkle for Easter.

The Beaverton School District Clothes Closet is in special need of girls’ heavy coats in sizes 7-8 and boys new boxer style underwear in XL (14/16) right now. There’s a labeled clothes basket near the chapel for drop offs which Kathy Bleyle takes to Clothes Closet on Wednesday’s. Other school appropriate clothing sizes 4T and up would also be much appreciated by the kids and their families. Questions? Contact Kathy at dbleyle@hotmail.com or 971-570-9040. Thank you!

There will be a Habitat morning work day on Saturday, February 16 at the Denney Road site from 8 to noon. This is a chance to show your skills working to build homes for families who otherwise couldn’t afford a home of their own. The site is well-marked and on the Scholls Ferry end of Denney. Steve Thomas will be signing up a work crew on the next several Sundays after church or contact him at caroleth@aol.com or (503) 645-1997.

Mark your calendars, Bethel’s annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 27th after worship. In our tradition, the annual meeting provides a living example of how UCC congregations govern themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The moderator (the chief lay leader of our organization) presides at the meeting. Reports from the various committees and teams are reviewed and accepted. A mission revenue and spending plan (a.k.a. the church budget) is presented, discussed and adopted. Past year successes and challenges are highlighted. Priorities and goals for the upcoming year are shared and celebrated. A slate of officers and lay leaders will be presented by the Nominating committee.

If you are new to Bethel, this is a GREAT way to understand how our church “works”. The meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend. For issues that require a formal vote, the official members of the congregation qualify to express a “yes”, “no” or “abstain”. Bethel friends who have not formally joined the church are encouraged to ask questions and share their insights and perspectives with respect to the topic “on the floor”. While essential decisions need to be authorized by a formal motion and vote, Bethel strives to make decisions through a process of dialogue and consensus. Deepen your understanding and investment in Bethel’s ministry by participating in the annual meeting January 27! Grace abounds….